Ivermectin Shows Promise for Treating Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Source: Behavioural pharmacology

Summary

Researchers studied the effects of Ivermectin (IVM) on patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, which means their seizures are hard to control even with multiple medications. The study included 146 patients who were already taking standard seizure medications but still experienced frequent seizures. They were given IVM in addition to their usual treatments, and their seizure frequency was tracked over time.

The results showed that after starting IVM, the average number of seizures per year dropped by nearly 89%. Most patients (over 90%) reported fewer seizures, and many achieved complete seizure freedom. Additionally, patients were able to reduce the number of other seizure medications they were taking, suggesting that IVM was well-tolerated and helped improve their overall treatment experience.

These findings are important because they suggest that IVM could be a helpful option for people with epilepsy who do not respond to standard treatments. However, the study was observational, meaning it didn't have a control group for comparison, and more research is needed to confirm the best way to use IVM safely. This study provides encouraging evidence, but further randomized trials will help clarify its effectiveness and safety.

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